 W.R.O.W. Albany, New York. Johnny Teller. This is Frank Harmon, Johnny, a tri-western life here in Hartford. Hi, Frankie. Where have you been, anyway? Oh, I just got back from Lake Tahoe out on the West Coast. Well, it's no wonder Jack Price couldn't get hold of you. Price, in your office down in Corpus Christi? That's right. He called and told me he'd been trying to get you on the phone for several days. Oh, well, I'm sorry. He has a problem, a pretty big one. When he couldn't reach you, he sent it on. He sent her on to us. It? Her? What is it? Both. So come on over here, will you? There's no time to waste. Oh, what's it all about? Well, all I can tell you is... Well, somehow, you've got to prevent a murder. CBS Radio brings you Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Teller. Expense accounts submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Teller to the New England Office of Tri-Western Life Insurance Company. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the unworthy kin matter. After the Lake Tahoe mess, I was ready for a nice long rest. But a job's a job. So expense account, I don't want a dollar ten for a cab back to Frank Harmon's office at Tri-Western in a big new building on the square. Glad you finally got back here, Johnny. Hiya, Frankie. Sit down. I'll get right to the point. Okay. Try to give you the whole story before she gets here. Oh, she. Name is Jean Unworthy. Unworthy. That's right. That's a funny one. Well, our little problem isn't very funny. Now listen. I'm listening. About four, maybe five years ago up in Hipsilanti, Michigan, a prominent businessman was killed by a guy named Eric Bean. Oh, you're telling me. It was a ruthless, pointless, wanton murder, simply because the victim refused to give him a few bucks. And the defense tried to get Bean out of it on grounds of temporary insanity. That's right. But instead, they sent him up to the Michigan State Prison, gave him life with no chance of parole. Oh, yeah, I remember. It just happens I was in on that case. Oh, of course. Of course you were. Well, all right then. Well, I didn't play a very important part in it. I have to admit, but I was there. And you were there during his trial? From the first to the last gavel. Yeah. And you know what Eric Bean did when the judge pronounced sentence on him. Yeah, that's right. Because it could be that Bean thought his remarks were partly aimed at me. I mean, let's talk about getting even with him. All right, sure. Sure, I'll go up here lousy, stinking presence. Order! Order in the court! But if you think you can keep me in it, you're crazy. Order! Order! Because I'm going to get out. I do. I'm going to kill everybody that had anything to do with me up. Yeah, Frankie, it was the typical thread of a tough criminal to get out someday and get even with everybody. By killing them? That's what he said. Including you? Well, I told you I really didn't have too much to do with the case. So there's no real reason for Bean to hold a grudge against me. Was there any real reason for the murder? Well, no. But listen, you know how little those courtroom threats usually mean? Well, then you're not at all worried over the fact that Eric Bean escaped seven or eight days ago. Oh? Well? No, not particularly. Well, you should be, Johnny, along with the rest of the people who were involved in that affair. Oh, Frankie, I told you. Johnny, in the past five days, Bean has killed four of the people he promised to kill. No kidding. And the police have no idea where he is or when he'll strike again. And another one of his intended victims is Mr. Albert K. Unworthy, who's now living down in Corpus Christi, Texas. And he's insured by our company for over half a million dollars. Well? Yeah. That reminds me of a tip I've been meaning to give you. Whenever you buy Pepsi Cola, get an extra carton. This is the secret of effortless entertaining. You know by now that as the parties go, so goes the Pepsi. So face reality. And be ready for any number of thirsts by making sure there's always plenty of the light refreshment on hand. People go for Pepsi because it refreshes without filling and does it in such a good tasting way. Come to think of it, why not buy a case of Pepsi? Then maybe there'll be enough for you to have some, too. Be sociable, look smart. And now act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Right now, Johnny, when Jack Price wasn't able to reach you, he dumped the whole thing in my lap, including the old man's daughter, Jean. She arrived here in Hartford early this morning, came in here and demanded that you be appointed a bodyguard for her father. Oh, now listen, Frank. I found her at her hotel right after I got in touch with you. She's probably on her way over here to see you right now. Hey, look, Frank, I'm an investigator. Not a person, buddy, buddy. Are you forgetting Eric Bean may have you high on his list, too? So what? So what? If I keep my eyes open, my man is in my... Oh, I see. What? Put two of Eric Bean's intended victims together. Give him a wide-open chance to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, and he's almost bound to show. Yes, so the cops who've been standing by pick him up along with our two buddies. And the company has done a great public service. Who read? No, that wasn't what I was thinking of at all. Frank, I couldn't go down there to Corpus Christi right away anyway. Why not? First thing tomorrow morning, I have an appointment in New York with an attorney for a deposition in that Lake Tahoe case I just wound up. So you lose a few hours. And what's more, I hate those bodyguard assignments, and you know it. But when such an important client's involved, Johnny? Well, there's nothing but a lot of trouble with an A number one chance of getting shot in the back. But don't you see? No, no, Frank, I'm sorry. If Unworthy wants protection, let him call in the police. They have a very good force there in Corpus Christi. Johnny. And when this dame, this daughter gets here, well, simply tell her I don't want the case. And I mean it, Frank. That's final. That is unequivocally and irrevocably an absolute. Mr. Harmon? Miss Unworthy. Oh, please come in. Thank you. Tess, come in and meet Mr. Johnny Dollar. Hi, Johnny. Suddenly, I changed my mind. Even as that whole office suddenly seemed to change, and take on a strange and wonderful glow. She was, so help me, one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen. Tall, but not too tall. With honey-colored hair and a complexion that, and a figure that kind of twinkle in those baby blue eyes that, oh, what's the use? The right word simply arts, not to describe this one. Well, uh, sit down, please, Miss Unworthy. Thank you, Frank, but I told you this morning to please call me Jean. Yes, of course, I forgot. That goes for you too, Johnny Dollar. Oh, sure, Jean, I, uh, sure. Can you leave with me right away, Johnny? I mean for Corpus Christi. I hope you told him how urgent this is, Frankie. Well, yes, I did. Well, then you will come and watch over Daddy until they catch this murder of, won't you, Johnny? Well, now, Jean. Yes? Well, I, that is I. Yes? Johnny? I have to be in New York first thing in the morning to see an attorney. Oh, that's just fine then. Because I have an early morning date in New York with Madam Algomarino before I go on back home. Oh? You know who she is? Oh, well, sure, I've heard of her, but I never thought anybody in the world actually had enough money to buy those clothes, those gowns that she designs. Oh, now you're kidding me, aren't you? But I just love having your thing. Oodles and oodles of them. So we'll go down to New York tonight. I'll be staying at the pier. So you stay at the pier, and we'll have a ball. We'll really do the town. Oh, I just love New York. Well, now, I... But tomorrow morning, while I'm getting some dresses and things, you can see your lawyer and then we'll take off for Corpus Christi together. But come on, Han, we'll have to hurry if we want to make the four o'clock plane to New York. Well, I... And, Frank, dear, thanks so much for finding Johnny. I feel better. I feel that Daddy's safer already. Expense account item 22150 for a cab and plane tickets to New York for the two of us. With this charmer in tow, well, believe me, it wasn't easy, but I realize that with an important assignment on my hands, I better play it safe and behave myself. So, down in New York, item 3 is 950 for a taxi to the pier, where I dropped her off, then to the Gotham, where I got my cell phone. That evening, the tab for cocktails and dinner at the pavillon, no less, came to $58. And I was pretty impressed by the Mededee's immediate recognition of her and his disappointment at the smallness of the bill she'd run up. Oh, and the tips, by the way, came to $14 more. Then the evening really got underway via the nightclub route, and I mean only the most expensive nightclubs were again she was recognized by all the Mededee's. And the total bill, by the time I dropped her off at the pier shortly after 4 AM, only $130, including tips and taxis, of course. I hoped my deposition the next morning in the attorney's office made some sense because I was bushed. But then, after leaving him on the way back to my hotel, I picked up a newspaper, and I nearly blew my top. Item 5, 6, whatever it is, $0.85 for a call to Frank Harmon back in Hyford. Now, now, Johnny. And it was you who gave that story to the wire services about my going down to Corpus Christi to save the life of dear old Albert Unworthy. But, Johnny, you yourself suggested it might help to flush out this killer? Oh, yeah, sure. Make it easy for him. Get two of us in one trip. Thank you very much. Item 7, 287, 50 plane fare tips and incidentals for the flight to Corpus Christi. By the time we got there, well, I don't know. I don't know how to say it. But, well, that genie is not only the most beautiful, the most charming. Well, put it this way. By the time that flight was over, if Jean had said, come on, Johnny, let's get married, I think I might have taken a leap without one single thought about the consequences. And after we landed and she stepped into a phone booth to call and make sure her father was still all right, well, I was almost annoyed at the sudden appearance of an old pal of mine, Doug Johnstone, kid brother of Jack who dramatizes these radio cases of mine. How'd I know you were coming down here with Johnny? It's all over the paper. Yeah, I was afraid of that. Oh? Yeah, but how are you anyway, Doug? Oh, I couldn't be better. Hey, boy, you certainly pick them, don't you? What do you mean? You're a traveling companion, Jean Unworthy. Oh, yeah. What do you know about her father, Doug? Well, I kind of thought you might want a little help while you're down here. You know, I came to meet you. Oh. Yeah, now, uh, here's what we ought to do. You, uh, put her in a taxi. Her home isn't far from here. Then you and I'll run on down to my office and talk a while, and I'll drive you out to their place later. Well, now, wait, Doug. I think that's a very good idea. Oh, Jeannie, yeah. This is an old friend of mine, Doug Johnstone. Hi, Doug. I've always looked forward to meeting you. Well, how nice. In my eye, I'm meeting more good-looking men these days. Johnny, Doug's right. It'll give me a chance to kind of freshen up and prepare the royal welcome for you here in Corpus Christi. All right? Well, I, uh, kind of hate to have you. So you go ahead with Doug, and I'll see you at the house later. Taxi. Huh? OK, Doug. Let's go. OK, now, Doug, as you were saying, as I was saying, well, sit down. Make yourself comfortable first, Johnstone. Thanks. Well? Well, Johnny, the old man unworthy is loaded, all right? Despite this gorgeous daughter of his trying to spend it all, but when she turns on the charm. Oh, you are telling me. Oh, he's a sucker for a good-looking gal, isn't she, Jeannie? Oh, now, Mr. Johnstone, sorry. Oh, sure. Jean is different. The point is, the point is, though, that there may be something in the rumor that her old man is getting a mite fed up with some of her ex-husband. Johnny, John, hand me the phone, will you? What's the matter, you think I don't make a good secretary? Oh, this here's Mr. Douglas D. Johnstone's office. Johnny, help, quick. Jean. Party every weekday is no small accomplishment. Ask any housewife who's faced the perils of just one house party with fear and trepidation. But Art Linkletters have been at it so long that he never worries today about tomorrow's house party. And yet they always come out slick, smooth, and hilarious. Art's enthusiasm is part of the reason why. The way he lets his guests take the bit in their teeth is another. So you never know where the fund's going to lead once it starts. Listen Monday through Friday on CBS Radio. Now act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, and the unworthy kin matter. Doug Johnstone and I tore out to the house. And yeah, Mr. Albert K. Unworthy was dead all right. Three neat, clean bullet holes in his temple. His daughter, Jean, was a wreck. One sleeve of a dress was torn. There was a red weld on her cheek where she'd apparently been struck by the killer. Johnny, Johnny, Johnny. Poor and noisy. It was so terrible. So awful, so terrible. OK, now, honey, just try to take it easy and remember exactly what happened. Why did it have to happen to him? It was so good. So wonderful to me ever since the day that he adopted me and now he's so tiny. Now who else was in here, Jean? Were you in here with your father alone? Yes. Yes, Johnny, I don't know where the servants are. Daddy must have let them take the day off. This man, that horrible-looking man came in. Can you tell me what he looked like? Well, I don't know. I saw him only a few seconds. He was short. And he was heavy, heavy set. And that thick black curly hair that came down to a point on his forehead. Yeah, yeah. Go on, Jean. Strange pale. His face was almost gray. After seven years in that place. And one of his ears, it was kind of mashed like a piece of cauliflower. There was a dirty scar, too, on his hand when he held that pistol on poor daddy. Oh, Johnny. And his height, his weight, have any idea? Oh, I don't know. He was maybe five feet seven or eight. And he was heavy, maybe 180 pounds or something. He was stocky. You asked me if it fits the newspaper description of Eric Bean almost to a T, John. Had you ever seen Eric Bean before, Jean? No, no, Johnny. And there was that wild animal look in his eyes. And he came rushing in here with that gun. And I tried to call you, but he knocked me down. And then he... And then he... And I guess I passed out. Ready soon. Oh, Johnny, please help me. Yes, sure, sure. You want to call the police, Doug? Sure. Doug not only called the police, but the family doctor. And after Jean had given the police all the information she could, the doctor gave her a mile sedative in the center of Tibet. By that time, Jean's personal maid had come in. So after assuring her, we'd do everything we could. Johnny. Johnny, dear, don't you see? Now, you may be in danger from... Oh, dear. I guess whatever the doctor gave me, I... I can't stay awake. We'd come back, dear. Come back. On the way back to Doug's office, neither of us said a word. Not until we got inside and he closed the door. And even then, we sat there quietly for a minute. Well, um... Johnny, you, uh, like a little drink? Uh, no. Well, thanks. You have one. No. You, uh... No? N-Nothing, uh, I just... Johnny, you're thinking the same thing I am. Yeah, Doug, I guess I am. Mind if I use your phone? My call was to the police. Not there in Corpus Christi, but the Nipselite Mission. I am 8-4-40. I got hold of Sergeant Tim Brower, the man who'd originally arrested Harry Bean, who now again was working on the case. Well, I... I expect I ought to keep an eye out for him. Well, you'd be away down on this list. Like, maybe Mr. Albert Unworthy and, uh... Like Unworthy and really set him up. Just crazy enough to set himself a very obvious little pattern in these four new murders. Yeah, what kind of a pattern, Sergeant? All the people are set in. Okay, Sergeant. And if she prosecuted Mr. Frederick Wallin. Okay, Sergeant, that's all I need to know. Well, Johnny? Yeah, well, I... I guess you tip me off, Doug, when you said something about her father getting fed up with her extravagance. Her foster father? Oh, yeah, she told us that herself, uh, adopted. There was no real blood bond between them. So, I... I suppose it's no wonder she was taking him for all she could. And when she found he was gonna pull back on the reins. I'm afraid her description of Bean is what stopped me. Too perfect. I mean, when a man suddenly barges in, knocks her down. And fires. And fires. Yeah. Three bullets into a skull. But when she said he was going to kill him, and we heard only two shots. Only two, Doug. Yeah. Johnny, you want me to go along with you? Just, uh... Let me use your car. Sure. You mean you found the murderer, Johnny? Yeah, Jeannie. And all the proof I need. Oh, thank goodness. And did you kill him when you found him? Kill? Yes. Him? What? Only one more thing I'd like to know. Yes. Well, what is it, Johnny? What you did with the gun. Oh. Well? It's out in the little fish pond. I found the library when... Johnny, not a chance for me. Not a chance. I learned about women from her. Following Harry Bean's pattern, the police in Michigan were able to pick him up in less than two weeks before he could kill again. The expense account, the total, call it $500 even. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Constipation is something people don't talk about much. But it can be a problem for anyone. Even doctors. And when constipation occurs, it's interesting to see just what doctors consider important about a laxative they might use or recommend. Well, a majority of the doctors we heard from had this to say... A laxative should be effective, gentle, close to natural acting. A medicine that can be used with complete confidence. Now, X-Lax has been popular with many doctors and millions of people over the years because pleasant tasting chocolate at X-Lax is effective. Overnight, it helps you toward your normal regularity. X-Lax is so gentle. So close to natural acting, there's no upset. That's why many doctors and millions of people use X-Lax with complete confidence. X-Lax, the laxative that helps you toward your normal regularity gently. Overnight. Now, here's our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week, the what goes matter is just what it sounds like, a real puzzler. So, Jonas, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Dick Crenna, Frank Gerstle, Russell Thorson, Stacey Harris, James McCallion, Bill James, and Gus Bayes. This is John Wall speaking. Here's the study in terror entitled Night Man on Suspense on the CBS Radio Network. 590 WROW Albany, New York.